Drainer, Wet Mopping Device, And Wet-And-Dry Cleaning Head

ABSTRACT

A drainer having: a housing including a plurality of water discharge holes at the bottom, at least one water inlet at the top, and a cavity inside, the water inlet, cavity, and the water discharge holes in communication sequentially; and a plurality of absorbent cores partially exposed from a corresponding water discharge hole such that each of the absorbent cores is configured to guide water flowing into the cavity to the exterior of the housing through the water discharge holes. The drainer may be configured with a wet mopping device and wet and dry cleaning head.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical field of cleaningequipment, and in particular to a wet mopping device capable of mopingand cleaning a floor to be cleaned, and a wet-and-dry cleaning head fora floor cleaning equipment. The present invention also relates to adrainer for use on the above-mentioned wet mopping device andwet-and-dry cleaning head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In daily life, vacuum cleaners are generally used for suckingparticulate matter such as dust on floors to be cleaned, and areparticularly suitable for cleaning rough floors, for example, forcleaning indoor carpets, wooden floors, etc. For the cleaning of smoothfloors, such as floor tiles and ceramic tiles, cleaning mops aregenerally used to wipe the smooth floors with wet mop cloth to removestains from the surface of the smooth floors. Such a cleaning approachinevitably requires a user to replace the cleaning tool multiple timesto realize the cleaning operation of the surface to be cleaned, which iscumbersome to operate.

The Chinese invention patent application with the publication number ofCN107072460A discloses a floor cleaning device comprising a liquidcontaining system. The liquid containing system possesses an outlethaving a plurality of openings to allow liquid to be drawn by acapillary force when a mop base such as mop cloth is mounted against theplurality of openings. The liquid containing system is substantiallyclosed after filling except for the plurality of openings. Since the mopcloth is in direct contact with the plurality of openings of the liquidcontaining system, the water in the liquid containing system can bedirectly applied to the mop cloth by means of a capillary suction force.As such, water is drawn onto the mop cloth quickly and mop is very wet.When the mop cloth is applied to operate on a floor to be cleaned,substantial water stains are susceptible of remaining on the floor, andthe cleaning result is not ideal. In addition, in order to solve theproblems of the mop cloth's water drawing speed and water content, theabove-mentioned patent imposes high requirements on the material andsize of the mop base and the diameter of the openings of the liquidcontaining system. This results in substantially severe processingprecision and requirements regarding the manufacturing of various partsof the mop, thus great difficulties in manufacturing and high costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, a firstobjective of the present invention is to provide a drainer having goodcapability of water conduction; a second objective of the presentinvention is to provide a wet mopping device that is provided with thedrainer which is convenient in mounting and dismounting; a thirdobjective of the present invention is to provide a wet-and-dry cleaninghead for a floor cleaning equipment that is provided with the drainerwhich is convenient in mounting and dismounting.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned first objective of the presentinvention, the present invention adopts the following technicalsolution:

A drainer, comprising:

-   -   a housing, provided with a plurality of water discharge holes at        the bottom, at least one water inlet at the top, and defining a        cavity inside; the water inlet, cavity, and water discharge        holes being in communication sequentially;    -   a plurality of absorbent cores, mounted inside the cavity of the        housing, each of which being partially exposed from a        corresponding water discharge hole, so that the absorbent core        can guide water entering the cavity to the exterior of the        housing through the water discharge hole.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, the housing isintegrally formed, the absorbent cores being permanently limited insidethe housing.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, the housing isformed by at least two parts separable from each other, so that theabsorbent cores are replaceable.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, a water guidingmember capable of guiding water to flow from one side to another isprovided at an inner bottom face of the cavity; each of the absorbentcores is in contact with the water guiding member, so that water flowingonto the water guiding member can be guided to the absorbent cores.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, the water guidingmember and the plurality of absorbent cores are integrally formed.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, a partitionlocated above the absorbent cores is provided inside the cavity, thepartition being provided with a plurality of small through holes viawhich water flowing into the cavity flows to the absorbent cores below.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, an upper surfaceof the partition is an oblique face that inclines downwards from nearthe water inlet to away from the water inlet.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, an inner wallface of the housing is provided with several positioning pins on whichthe water guiding member is sleeved.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, an inner wallface of the housing is provided with several plots that are locatedabove the absorbent cores, each plot facing one water discharge hole,the absorbent cores being tightly pressed inside the water dischargeholes by means of the plots.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned second objective of the presentinvention, the present invention adopts the following technicalsolution:

-   -   a wet mopping device comprising a base plate for mounting a mop        cloth and a water supply tank located above the base plate and        used for supplying water to the mop cloth, the bottom of the        water supply tank being provided with a water outlet; the base        plate is provided with a drainer according to any one of the        above-mentioned technical solutions, the water inlet being in        communication with the water outlet, the housing of the drainer        being at least partially separable from the base plate.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, the base plate isprovided with a venting pipe connecting the cavity of the drainer withthe water supply tank, the venting pipe protruding from an upper surfaceof the base plate and up to above the maximum fill level of water in thewater supply tank, so as to vent the air existing in the cavity when thewater enters the cavity via the water outlet. The housing of the draineris provided with a connecting port connected with the venting pipe.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, an upper half ofthe housing is integrally formed with the base plate, and a lower halfof the housing is detachably connected to the upper half.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, the housing ofthe drainer is integrally separable from the base plate.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, the base plate isprovided with a groove for receiving the housing.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, the base plateand the water supply tank are integrally fixed or integrally formed.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the top of the water supplytank is provided with a water filling port, a tank cap being arranged atthe water filling port and comprising an air inlet open towards theinterior of the water supply tank and an air opening open towards theoutside of the water supply tank, the tank cap comprises a chicane shapeformed by at least one baffle and forming an air inlet channel extendinginside the tank cap from the air inlet to the air opening. The chicaneshape constitutes an obstacle on the way from the interior of the watersupply tank to the outside, so that water cannot leak outwards when thewater tank is tilted.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the tank cap comprises acover part and a lining part that is mounted to the cover part.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the cover part comprisessaid chicane shape.

In the above technical solution, preferably, at least one of the bafflesis hollowed to define an intermediate air opening in the air inletchannel.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the water outlet isprovided with a valve for opening and closing the water outlet, and thewater supply tank is externally provided with an action member which isoperable by a user, the action member and the valve being disposed in amanner allowing the transmission of motion such that the user is able toopen or close the water outlet by operating the action member.

In a preferred embodiment, a cam surface is formed at a top portion ofthe valve plug to lock the drain valve in the closed or open position.To close the valve, the end of a lever arm of the action member shouldbe forced to pass through the cam surface to push the valve plug in anaxial direction against a spring force that tends to urge the valve plugupwards. Conversely, to open the valve, the end of the lever arm of theaction member should be forced to pass through a protrusion.

In a preferred embodiment, the valve is provided with two sealings, alower one formed by an O-ring for radial sealing and an upper one formedby a washer with axial lip for axial sealing, in order to reduce theeffort needed to operate the plug of the valve.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned third objective of the presentinvention, the present invention adopts the following technicalsolution:

-   -   a wet-and-dry cleaning head for a floor cleaning equipment,        comprising:    -   a cleaning head body provided with at least one dust suction        port at the bottom;    -   a base plate used for mounting a mop cloth;    -   a water supply tank located above the base plate and used for        supplying water to the mop cloth, the bottom of the water supply        tank being provided with a water outlet; the base plate is        provided with a drainer according to any one of the        above-mentioned technical solutions, the water inlet at the top        of the housing being in communication with the water outlet, the        housing of the drainer being at least partially separable from        the base plate.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, the base plate islocated at the bottom of the cleaning head body, and the water supplytank is detachably mounted at the top of the cleaning head body.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, the base plate isdetachably mounted at the bottom of the cleaning head body.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, preferably, the base plateand the water supply tank are integrally fixed or integrally formed, andare detachably mounted to the cleaning head body.

In a preferred embodiment, the base plate is provided with at least onelocking element which cooperates with a corresponding locker arranged onthe cleaning head body so as to lock the base plate with the cleaninghead body. The locking element is for example a hook. The base plate ispreferably provided with two locking elements and more preferably withfour. The locking elements may be integrally formed with the base plateor attached thereto.

With the drainer of the present invention, by providing absorbent coresthat are inside the cavity of the housing and partially exposedtherefrom at the water discharge holes of the housing, the drainer isenabled to guide water entering the cavity of the drainer to theexterior of the housing thanks to the good absorbent capacity of theabsorbent cores. As a result, when the drainer of the present inventionis applied to humidify a mop cloth, the water content on the mop clothis appropriate and uniform, without leaving many water stains on a floorto be cleaned, thereby improving the effect of floor cleaning. At leastpart of the drainer being separable with the base plate of the wetmopping device, replacement of the drainer and components inside it by auser is facilitated, thereby facilitating the cleaning and maintenanceof the drainer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a wet-and-dry cleaning head ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of a wet-and-dry cleaning head ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a wet mopping device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a first schematic cross-sectional structural view of a wetmopping device of the present invention (after a user operates an actionmember in one direction, a valve closes the water outlet on the baseplate of the water supply tank);

FIG. 5 is second schematic cross-sectional structural view of a wetmopping device of the present invention (after a user operates theaction member in another direction, the valve opens the water outlet onthe base plate of the water supply tank);

FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded view of a drainer of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial enlarged view of the detail A in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom view of an upper cover of a drainer of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the remaining part of a drainer of thepresent invention after the upper cover is removed;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a drainer ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the wetmopping device of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional structural view of the wet mopping deviceas shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic exploded view of the water filing part of the wetmopping device as shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of the wet mopping device as shown inFIG. 11.

wherein: 11. Cleaning head body; 111. Dust suction port; 112. Suctionpassage; 113. Rotary connector;

12. Wet mopping device; 121. Base plate; 122. Water supply tank; 123.Groove; 124. Water outlet; 125. Air inlet; 126. Action member; 127.Valve; 128. Plug; 129. Spring; 130. Mounting hole; 131. Check valve;132. Rotating shaft; 133. Sealing ring; 134. Water filling port; 135.Cover; 136. Cover part; 138. Lining part.

14. Drainer; 141. Housing; 142. Upper cover; 143. Lower cover; 144;Water inlet; 145. Cavity; 146. Partition; 147. Through hole; 140.Absorbent member; 148. Absorbent core; 149. Water guiding member; 150.Water discharge hole; 151. Plot; 152. Positioning pin; 153. Firstpositioning hole; 154. Second positioning hole; 155. Positioning slot;156. Small hole.

22. Locking element; 24. Venting pipe; 26. Internal wall; 32. Fixinghole; 33. Screw hole; 36. Chicane shape; 361. Inner skirt; 362. Ribs;363. intermediate air opening; 364. first notch; 37. Outer skirt; 373.block; 374. second notch; 38. Air inlet; 41. Cam surface; 42. Firstedge; 43. Protrusion; 44. Second edge; 34. Upper sealing ring; 50. Leverarm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The technical contents, structural features, achieved objectives andeffects of the present invention will be described in detail below withreference to embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The positionalrelationships of upper, lower, left, right, front, and rear described inthe present embodiments correspond to the respective positionalrelationships shown in FIG. 1, respectively. The floor cleaningequipment described is an equipment used for performing dust suction andcleaning on a floor to be cleaned. It can be for example a wet-and-dryvacuum cleaner, or a floor scrubber.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a wet-and-dry cleaning head comprises acleaning head body 11 capable of moving on a floor to be cleaned, arotary connector 113 connected to the cleaning head body 11, a suctionpassage 112, and a wet mopping device 12 fixedly mounted to the cleaninghead body 11. In the wet-and-dry cleaning head, a part of the suctionpassage 112 is received inside the cleaning head body 11, and anotherpart of it is provided on the rotary connector 113. The cleaning headbody 11 is provided at the bottom with two dust suction ports 111 thatare opposite each other in the front-rear direction. When thewet-and-dry cleaning head is applied to be used on a floor cleaningequipment, it is connected with a main body portion of the floorcleaning equipment via the rotary connector 113, for example, to asuction unit of the floor cleaning equipment by means of a hard tube ora hose. The suction passage 112 is capable of sucking in particulatematter such as dust on the floor to be cleaned through the dust suctionports 111 by means of a suction force of the suction unit. Of course, itis also possible to provide only one dust suction port 111 at a frontportion of the cleaning head body 11, in front of the wet mopping device12. Thus, a function of first dusting and then mopping can be realized.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the wet mopping device 12 comprises abase plate 121 used for mounting a mop cloth and a water supply tank122. A lower portion of the water supply tank 122 is of an openingstructure. The base plate 121 is fixedly mounted at the lower portion ofthe water supply tank 122 and closes the opening of the lower portion ofthe water supply tank 122, so that the water supply tank 122 and thebase plate 121 enclose and define a water storage chamber. Of course, tofacilitate manufacturing by injection molding, the base plate 121 andthe water supply tank 122 can also be integrally formed.

To facilitate the adding of cleaning water by a user, a wet moppingdevice 12 is detachably mounted to the cleaning head body 11.Specifically, the water supply tank 122 has two tank portions that areopposite each other in the left-right direction, and a connectionportion that connects the two tank portions. The connection portion isof a hollow structure and integrally formed with the two tank portions.The space between the two tank portions forms a snap groove. Thecleaning head body 11 has a snap-in portion adapted to the snap groove.When the wet mopping device 12 is mounted to the cleaning head body 11,the snap-in portion of the cleaning head body 11 is snapped in the snapgroove of the wet mopping device 12, and the water supply tank 122 islocated at the top of the cleaning head body 11. An upper portion of thewater supply tank 122 is provided with a water filing port 134, and acover 135 is provided at the water filing port 134.

Of course, to facilitate the mounting of a mop cloth, the wet moppingdevice 12 does not need to be completely detached from the cleaning headbody 11. It is sufficient to fix the water supply tank 122 to thecleaning head body 11, and detachably provide the base plate 121 at thebottom of the water supply tank 122. Specifically, the base plate 121 isconnected to the water supply tank 122 in a snap-fit manner, with alower edge of a side wall plate of the water supply tank 122constituting a connection portion and the base plate 121 being providedwith a circumferentially arranged connection groove adapted to the loweredge of the side wall plate of the water supply tank 122, and awaterproof sealing strip being provided in the connection groove.

The base plate 121 is provided with a water outlet 124. A drainer 14that communicates with the water outlet 124 is mounted to the base plate121. When a mop cloth is mounted at the lower portion of the base plate121, the mop cloth covers the outer side of the drainer 14. Cleaningwater in the water storage chamber can be guided to the mop cloth viathe drainer 14, so as to humidify the mop cloth.

To facilitate the cleaning water in the water storage chamber enteringthe drainer 14 so as to be guided to the mop cloth, the water supplytank 122 is provided with an air inlet 125 that puts the externalenvironment and the internal water storage chamber in communication. Theair inlet 125 is provided on the cover 135. A check valve 131 is mountedat the air inlet 125. The check valve 131 only allows outside air toenter the water supply tank 122 from the outside, and does not allow airand/or cleaning water in the water supply tank 122 to escape from theinterior of the water supply tank 122 into the external environment. Asa result, even if the water supply tank 122 is in an upside-down state,the cleaning water inside the water supply tank 122 cannot leak to thefloor to be cleaned through the air inlet 125, effectively preventingthe drawback of making the floor dirty again when a user replaces thecleaning water.

Of course, the water supply tank 122 can be of a fully closed structure,i.e., a structure without the air inlet 125. Cleaning water in the waterstorage chamber is guided to the mop cloth so as to humidify it only bymeans of the capillary effect of the drainer 14.

To prevent the water in the water supply tank 122 from beingcontinuously guided to the mop cloth by the drainer 14 after finishing amopping operation, which results in an excessive water content on themop cloth and thus leaving a large area of water stain on the floor tobe cleaned, a valve 127 for opening and closing the water outlet 124 ismounted at the water outlet 124, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Anaction member 126, operable by a user and drivingly connected with thevalve 127, is provided at an upper portion of the water supply tank 122.In use, by operating the action member 126, the user drives the valve127 to perform an action so as to open or close the water outlet 124 onthe base plate 121.

Specifically, the water supply tank 122 is provided with a mounting hole130. The valve 127 comprises a plug 128 and a spring 129 mounted insidethe mounting hole 130. One end of the spring 129 is connected to theplug 128 and the other end of it is connected inside the mounting hole130. The plug 128 is provided with a sealing ring 133 at a lower end.The action member 126 is a button member, one end of which is mounted tothe water supply tank 122 by means of a rotating shaft 132, and theother end constitutes a trigger portion for a user to press or step on.An upper end of the plug 128 abuts against the button member. Of course,the action member 126 is not limited to the above-described button-typerotating member. It can also be a movable member. The structure of thevalve 127 is not limited to the above-described plug that moves in thevertical direction either. It can also be a cover plate that moves inthe horizontal direction. For example, the movable member is fixedlyconnected to the cover plate. In use, by operating the movable member,the user drives the cover plate to move in the horizontal direction, sothat the cover plate and the water outlet 124 are offset from each otheror face each other, so as to open or close the water outlet 124.

The structural composition and application of the drainer 14 will bedescribed specifically in reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 to FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drainer 14 is mounted to the lower portion ofthe base plate 121. With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the lowerportion of the base plate 121 is provided with a groove 123. The drainer14 is received in the groove 123. A bottom edge of the drainer 14 issubstantially flush with a bottom surface of the base plate 121. As aresult, when a mop cloth is mounted to the base plate 121, the mop clothwill not appear to be rugged, facilitating tight engagement between themop cloth and the floor to be cleaned, and improving the mopping result.

As shown in FIG. 6, the drainer 14 comprises a housing 141, a partition146, and an absorbent member 140 comprising absorbent cores 148. Thehousing 141 is formed by an upper cover 142 and a lower cover 143fastened with each other. With reference to FIG. 10, a cavity 145 isenclosed between the upper cover 142 and the lower cover 143. Thepartition 146 and the absorbent cores 148 are all located in the cavity145. The partition 146 is located above the absorbent cores 148. Theabsorbent cores 148 are made of a material with good absorbent property,for example, water-absorbent resin, cellulose, polyacrylamide, ordegreased cotton, sponge, silicone, etc.

In order to tightly fix the partition 146 and the absorbent cores 148 inthe cavity 145 by the upper cover 142 and the lower cover 143 afterbeing fastened with each other, with reference to FIG. 8, the uppercover 142 is provided, along the direction of its length, with aplurality of positioning slots 155 and a plurality of plots 151extending downwards. The plurality of plots 151 and the plurality ofpositioning slots 155 are provided one adjacent to another. That is tosay, one plot 151 is provided between every two positioning slots 155.The lower cover 143 is provided, along the direction of its length, withwater discharge holes 150 for inserting the plurality of plots 151 and aplurality of positioning pins 152 adapted to the plurality ofpositioning slots 155. The plurality of water discharge holes 150 andthe plurality of positioning pins 152 are provided one adjacent withanother. That is to say, one water discharge hole 150 is providedbetween every two positioning pins 152. The partition 146 is provided,along the direction of its length, with first positioning holes 153 forbeing traversed by the plurality of positioning pins 152 and a pluralityof through holes 147 for being traversed by the plurality of plots 151.The plurality of first positioning holes 153 and the plurality ofthrough holes 147 are provided one adjacent with another. That is tosay, one through hole 147 is provided between every two firstpositioning holes 153. The partition 146 is further provided with aplurality of small through holes 156 for cleaning water to flow throughthe partition 146. Each small hole 156 is integrally formed with thecorresponding first positioning hole 153. The absorbent member 140 isprovided, along the direction of its length, with second positioningholes 154 for being traversed by the plurality of positioning pins 152.

With reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 9, when the absorbent cores148 and the partition 146 are fitted in the housing 141, the positioningpins 152 on the lower cover 143 traverse, sequentially, the secondpositioning holes 155 on the absorbent member 140 and the firstpositioning holes 153 on the partition 146, and finally are insertedinside the positioning slots 155 on the upper cover 142. At the sametime, the plurality of plots 151 on the upper cover 142 traverse theplurality of through holes 147 on the partition 146 and are insertedinside the plurality of water discharge holes 150 on the lower cover143, in the course of which, the absorbent cores 148 are tightly pressedinside the water discharge holes 150 by the positioning plots 151 on theupper cover 142, and are partially exposed outside the water dischargeholes 150.

The upper cover 142 is provided with a water inlet 144 that communicateswith the cavity 145. With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when thedrainer 14 is mounted at the lower portion of the base plate 121, thewater inlet 144 and the water outlet 124 on the base plate 121 are incommunication, and the water inlet 144 of the drainer 14, the cavity145, and the water discharge holes 150 communicate with each othersequentially. The absorbent core 148 is able to guide cleaning waterflowing into the cavity 145 to the outside of the housing 141 via thewater discharge holes 150, i.e., to the mop cloth below it, so as tohumidify the mop cloth.

In the above-described structure, the housing 141 of the drainer 14 is aseparable structure with the upper cover 142 and the lower cover 143being detachably connected. Of course, to facilitate manufacturing, thehousing 142 of the drainer 141 can also be designed to be an integralstructure with a cavity 145 enclosed inside, and the absorbent core 148being permanently limited in the housing 141. However, as such, when anycomponent inside the drainer 14 is damaged (for example, when problemssuch as clogging, cracks, and aging occur to the absorbent cores 148), auser needs to replace the entire drainer 14. To enable the user toselectively replace a component in the drainer 14 according to theactual situation of utilization, and mainly for facilitating thereplacement of the absorbent core 148 by the user, the housing 141 isbest designed to be a separable structure, which is not limited to atwo-part structure with an upper cover and a lower cover, and can alsobe formed by multiple parts, for example, a drainer housing formed by anupper shell, a middle frame, and a lower shell, with the absorbent cores148 fixed to the middle frame.

With reference to FIG. 2, the drainer 14 can be detachably mounted atthe lower portion of the base plate 121. That is to say, the outercontour of the drainer 14 is adapted to the groove 123 on the base plate121 in a snap-fit connection manner. The upper cover 142 of the drainer14 can also be fixed to the base plate 121, with the rest of the drainer14 such as the lower cover being designed to be removable.

As cleaning water entering the drainer 14 will generally fill up thecavity 145 before flowing to the absorbent cores 148 through the smallholes 156 on the partition 146, in order to facilitate the absorption ofthe cleaning water inside the cavity 145 by the absorbent core 148, awater guiding member 149 is deposited at the inner bottom face of thecavity 145. The water guiding member 149 is in contact with theabsorbent core 148. The water guiding member 149 also possess a goodabsorbent property, and is integrally formed with the absorbent core 148and capable of guiding cleaning water to the absorbent cores 148.

In the above-described structure, the absorbent member 140 is of aone-piece structure, and the water guiding member 149 is integrallyformed with the absorbent cores 148. Of course, to facilitate themounting and replacement of a part of the absorbent core 148, theabsorbent core 148 can also be a separable structure. That is to say, aplurality of absorbent cores 148 can be provided. The water guidingmember 149 connects the plurality of absorbent cores 148 together. Thewater guiding member 149 is sleeved to the plurality of positioning pins152 on the inner wall face of the housing 141. Each absorbent core 148is in contact with the water guiding member 149, so that cleaning waterflowing onto the water guiding member 149 can be guided onto theabsorbent cores 148.

As the upper cover 142 is provided with only one water inlet 144,cleaning water entering the drainer 14 via the water inlet 144 will flowfrom near the water inlet 144 towards away from the water inlet 144.Thus, the water flow arriving at the absorbent cores 148 is not uniform,and the cleaning water ultimately flowing out of the various waterdischarge holes 150 is not uniform in time, resulting in the mop clothbeing partially humidified and partially not humidified. To prevent thissituation, it is preferable that an upper surface of the partition isdesigned as an oblique face, that is to say, inclined downwards fromnear the water inlet 144 to away from the water inlet 144, so thatcleaning water in the drainer 14 flows more slowly when near the waterinlet 144 and more quickly when away from the water inlet 144. Theoverall effect achieved is that the water output rates of the variouswater discharge holes 150 of the drainer 14 are substantially identical,and the mop cloth is humidified more uniformly with a betterhumidification result. Of course, other than designing the upper surfaceof the partition 146 as an oblique face, it is also possible to providea plurality of water inlets 144 on the upper cover 142 along thedirection of its length, which can also make the water output rates ofthe various water discharge holes 150 of the drainer 14 identical.

FIG. 11 to FIG. 14 illustrate another embodiment of the wet moppingdevice 12 which includes several other aspects of the invention. Itshould be understood that these aspects may also be applied to the abovedescribed embodiment or combined with above described features toconstitute new embodiments. In FIGS. 11-14, same reference numbers areused to designate the identical or similar parts to the embodiment shownin FIGS. 1-10.

As shown in FIG. 11, the wet mopping device 12 comprises a base plate121 and a water supply tank 122, which are similar to those shown inFIG. 2. Two locking elements 22 are provided on each of the front andrear borders of the base plate 121. In the illustrated embodiment, eachlocking element 22 is in the form of a hook having a recess 221 facingthe center of the base plate 121. The cleaning head body 11 is providedwith corresponding lockers respectively located on the rear surface ofthe front suction part and the front surface of the rear suction part(not shown in the figures). When the wet mopping device 12 is mounted tothe cleaning head body 11, the locker arranged on the cleaning head body11 are snapped in the recess of the locking element 22 provided on thebase plate 121. This cooperation helps to ensure the fastening of thewet mopping device 12 to the cleaning head body 11, in addition or inalternative to the snap fit created by the snap groove formed by thewater tanks and the snap-in portion of the cleaning head body 11.Moreover, the locking elements 22 also avoids that the mop clothoverlays completely the base plate 121.

As shown in FIG. 12, the base plate 121 is provided a venting pipe 24protruding from the upper surface of the base plate 121 to above themaximum filing lever of the water supply tank 122. The housing 141 ofthe drainer 14 is provided with a connecting port (not shown) connectedwith the venting pipe 24. Thus, the venting pipe 24 connects the cavity145 formed inside the base plate drainer 14 with the water supply tank122. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base plate 121 only has one wateroutlet 124 through which water exits the water supply tank 122 andenters the cavity 145 of the drainer 14. It could be difficult for theair trapped in the cavity 145 to get out from the water outlet 124 andthe filling of the cavity 145 can thus be obstructed. The venting pipe24 allows to vent the air existing in the cavity 145 when filling thecavity 145 and thus facilitates the filling.

Also as shown in FIG. 12, the base plate 121 is provided with at leastone internal wall 26, in the form of a longitudinal projectionprotruding from the upper surface to the inside of the cavity 145. Theinternal wall 26 occupies a part of the volume of the cavity 145 andthus reduces the volume of the cavity 145 that is occupied by water.Therefore, when the valve 127 is actuated to its open position, watercan fill the cavity 145 more quickly and moisten the mop more quickly aswell. In other words, the time response is decreased between the timethe valve 127 is manually actuated and the time when the mop ismoistened by water flowing from the liquid discharge holes 150. Thequantity and the location of the internal walls 26 can be modifiedaccording to actual need. In addition, the internal walls 26 also serveas reinforcing elements of the base plate 121.

It can be seen from FIG. 12 that the drain valve 127 is provided with alower sealing 133 realized by an O-ring for radial sealing and an uppersealing 34 realized by a washer with axial lip for axial sealing, inorder to reduce the effort needed to operate the plug 128 of the valve127. In the embodiment illustrated on FIG. 12, the valve 127 is entirelyhoused in the mounting hole 130. The lower sealing 133 and the uppersealing 34 both locate between the mounting hole 130 and the plug 128 ofthe valve 127.

Different from the previous embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, in theembodiment as shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the tank cap 135 does notcomprise an air inlet orifice that is visible from outside or a checkvalve but defines an air inlet channel extending between an air inlet 38open towards the interior of the water supply tank 122 and an airopening 364 open towards the outside of the water supply tank 122. Theair inlet channel is formed by a chicane shape 36 formed in the tank cap135. The tank cap 135 comprises a cover part 136 and a lining part 138that is mounted to the cover part 136. The chicane shape is formed onthe top surface of the cover part 136 and protruding downwardlytherefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the chicane shape 36 comprisesan inner skirt 361 forming a substantially rectangular contour and ribs362 linking a screw hole 33 with the inner skirt 361. The lining part138 is mounted to the bottom of the cover part 136 and comprises a plateprovided with an orifice as an air inlet 38 and an outer skirt 37protruding upwards from the plate and surrounding the air inlet 38. Thelining part 138 is for instance mounted to the cover part 136 by meansof a bolt (not shown) passing through a fixing hole 32 arranged in theplate of the lining part 138 and screwed in the screw hole 33 of thecover part 136. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing hole 32 islocated in the center of the plate.

When the cover part 136 and the lining part 138 are mounted by the bolt,the outer skirt 37 is sleeved outside the inner skirt 361, with its sideS facing the side S′ of the inner skirt 361 as shown in FIG. 13. Inaddition, the height of the inner skirt 361 and the ribs 362 aredimensioned to allow them getting in contact with the plate of thelining part 138 when mounted, so that water could hardly pass throughtheir interface with the plate of the lining part 138. As shown in FIG.13, in this embodiment, four ribs 362 are disposed in the form of across with the screw hole 33 in the center. The ribs 362 form thebaffles for water and/or air. It should be understood that the quantityand the distribution of the ribs may vary. When the cover part 136 andthe lining part 138 are mounted, the air inlet 38 is located between tworibs 362, one of which is partially hollowed to leave an intermediateair opening 363 in the air inlet channel. Another rib adjacent to thehollowed rib is also hollowed to leave an intermediate air opening. Theinner skirt 361 comprises a first notch 364 and the outer skirt 37comprises a second notch 374 at the same location, so as to form an airopening. The first notch 364 extends on the whole height of the innerskirt 361 whilst the second notch 374 extends on a part of the height ofthe outer skirt 37. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 13, the outer skirt 37comprises a block 373 protruding inwardly and is inserted in the firstnotch 364 of the inner skirt 361 when mounted. The first notch 364 islocated between the other two ribs 362. In other words, the air inlet 38and the air opening are located in diagonal quadrants defined by thefour ribs. Thus, air entering the tank cap 135 passes firstly the airopening formed by the notches 364 and 374, then passes the intermediateair openings 363 formed in two adjacent ribs 362, and finally passesthrough the air inlet 38 to access the water supply tank 122.Conversely, when the water tank is tilted and the water tends to leakout through the tank cap 135, it is trapped between the cover part 136and the lining part 138 by the baffles formed by the ribs 362 and theblock 373. In another preferred embodiment, the intermediate airopenings 363 may be located directly adjacent to the top surface of thecover part 136, so that they may trap the water more efficiently.

In order to lock the drain valve 127 in its closed or open position, acam shape is formed at a top portion of the plug 128 of the drain valve127. The top portion comprises a stepped surface including a highersurface 45 and a lower surface 46 which are connected by a cam surface41. As shown on FIG. 14 wherein the drain valve 127 is in the openposition, a lever arm 50 of the action member 126 rests on the lowersurface 46 of the top of the plug 128. To switch the valve 127 to itsclosed position, the action member 126 should be rotated around its axisin the clockwise direction. The lever arm 50 of the action member 126 isthus pressed against the cam surface 41 by its first edge 42. When thecam surface 41 and the first edge 42 are being forced through, the leverarm 50 is moved downwards against a spring force that tends to urge thedrain valve plug 128 upwards and comes to rest on the higher surface 45of the top of the plug 128 which is thus pushed down to block the wateroutlet 125. Preferably, a protrusion 43 is provided on the highersurface 45 of the top portion of the plug 128, near the cam surface 41.Conversely, to open drain valve 127, the action member 126 should berotated in the anticlockwise direction. The lever arm 50 is pressedagainst the protrusion 43 by its second edge 44. Only when theprotrusion 43 and the second edge 44 are forced through, can the plug128 be pushed upwards by the spring 132 and thus opens the valve 127.

The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical conceptand features of the present invention, and are intended to enable thoseskilled in the art to understand and thereby implement the contents ofthe present invention, and the scope of protection of the presentinvention cannot be limited thereto. Any equivalent modifications orembellishments made in accordance with the spirit of the presentinvention shall be included within the scope of protection of thepresent invention.

1. A drainer for a floor cleaning equipment comprising: a housing with a plurality of water discharge holes at a bottom, at least one water inlet at a top, and defining a cavity inside, the water inlet, the cavity, and the plurality of water discharge holes in communication sequentially; and a plurality of absorbent cores mounted in the cavity of the housing, each of the plurality of absorbent cores partially exposed from a corresponding water discharge hole, such that each of the plurality of absorbent cores is configured to guide water entering the cavity to the exterior of the housing through the water discharge holes.
 2. The drainer for a floor cleaning equipment according to claim 1, wherein the housing is integrally formed, and the absorbent cores are permanently limited inside the housing.
 3. The drainer for a floor cleaning equipment according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed by at least two parts separable from each other, so that the plurality of absorbent cores are replaceable.
 4. The drainer for a floor cleaning equipment according to claim 1, further comprising a water guiding member capable of guiding water to flow from one side to another at an inner bottom face of the cavity; each of the plurality of absorbent cores in contact with the water guiding member, so that water flowing onto the water guiding member is guided to the plurality of absorbent cores.
 5. The drainer for a floor cleaning equipment according to claim 4, wherein the water guiding member and the plurality of absorbent cores are integrally formed.
 6. The drainer for a floor cleaning equipment according to claim 1, further comprising a partition located above the plurality of absorbent cores inside the cavity, the partition having a plurality of through holes via which water flowing into the cavity flows to the plurality of absorbent cores below.
 7. The drainer for a floor cleaning equipment according to claim 6, wherein an upper surface of the partition is an oblique face that inclines downwards from near the water inlet to away from the water inlet.
 8. The drainer for a floor cleaning equipment according to claim 4, further an inner wall face of the housing comprises at least one positioning pin on which the water guiding member is sleeved.
 9. The drainer for a floor cleaning equipment according to claim 4, wherein an inner wall face of the housing comprises a plurality of plots located above the plurality of absorbent cores, each of the plurality of plots facing one water discharge hole, the plurality of absorbent cores tightly pressed inside the water discharge holes by the plurality of plots.
 10. A wet mopping device, comprising: a base plate for mounting a mop cloth; and a water supply tank located above the base plate for supplying water to the mop cloth, a bottom of the water supply tank comprising a water outlet; wherein, the base plate comprises a drainer according to claim 1, the water inlet is in communication with the water outlet, and the housing of the drainer is at least partially separable from the base plate.
 11. The wet mopping device according to claim 10, wherein the base plate comprises a venting pipe connecting the cavity of the drainer with the water supply tank, the venting pipe protruding from an upper surface of the base plate and up to above a maximum fill level of water in the water supply tank, the housing of the drainer comprising a connecting port connected with the venting pipe.
 12. The wet mopping device according to claim 10, wherein, an upper half of the housing is integrally formed with the base plate, and a lower half of the housing is detachably connected to the upper half.
 13. The wet mopping device according to claim 12, wherein, the base plate further comprises a protrusion protruding inside the cavity of the drainer.
 14. The wet mopping device according to claim 10, wherein the housing of the drainer is integrally separable from the base plate.
 15. The wet mopping device according to claim 14, wherein the base plate further comprises a groove for receiving the housing.
 16. The wet mopping device according to claim 10, wherein, a top of the water supply tank comprises a water filling port, a tank cap is arranged at the water filling port and comprises an air inlet open towards an interior of the water supply tank and an air opening open towards the outside of the water supply tank, the tank cap further comprises a chicane shape formed by at least one baffle and forming an air inlet channel extending inside the tank cap from the air inlet to the air opening.
 17. The wet mopping device according to claim 10, wherein the base plate and the water supply tank are integrally fixed or integrally formed.
 18. A wet-and-dry cleaning head for a floor cleaning equipment, comprising: a cleaning head body with at least one dust suction port at the bottom; a base plate for mounting a mop cloth; a water supply tank located above the base plate for supplying water to the mop cloth, a bottom of the water supply tank comprising a water outlet; wherein the base plate comprises a drainer according to claim 1, the water inlet at the top of the housing is in communication with the water outlet, the housing of the drainer is at least partially separable from the base plate.
 19. The wet-and-dry cleaning head according to claim 18 for a floor cleaning equipment, wherein the base plate is located at a bottom of the cleaning head body, and the water supply tank is detachably mounted at a top of the cleaning head body.
 20. The wet-and-dry cleaning head according to claim 19 for a floor cleaning equipment, wherein the base plate is detachably mounted at the bottom of the cleaning head body.
 21. The wet-and-dry cleaning head according to claim 18 for a floor cleaning equipment, wherein the base plate and the water supply tank are integrally fixed or integrally formed, and are detachably mounted to the cleaning head body.
 22. The wet-and-dry cleaning head according to claim 18, wherein the base plate comprises at least one locking element which cooperates with a corresponding locker arranged on the cleaning head body so as to lock the base plate with the cleaning head body. 